Now that UFC 185 is over, headliners Rafael dos Anjos and Anthony Pettis will take time to heal up from the injuries they incurred during their memorable, five round fight.

After dos Anjos went on to record a unanimous decision win last weekend, the newly crowned champ reported that he fougt Pettis with a MCL injury. On the latest episode of “UFC Tonight”, it was reported that the lightweight has a partially torn MCL, however, the injury will not require surgery. The champion is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months.

Dos Anjos will undergo surgery next week to repair his nose, however, which he reportedly also damaged during his training camp.

Pettis, meanwhile, broke his orbital bone during the March 14th fight, and will be out for six weeks. The former champ took a punishing shot to the eye early in the bout, and afterwards, Pettis relayed that he had difficulties seeing out of it throughout the contest.

Dos Anjos blended his striking, wrestling and grappling together brilliantly against Pettis, and went on to outscore the lightweight for the unanimous decision win. Pettis proceeded to relay in his post fight interview that he couldn’t see out of his right eye, after dos Anjos landed a booming left in round one.

Esparza, meanwhile, was largely unable to take Jedrzejczyk down to the mat, and was badly outgunned by the noted Muay Thai competitor standing. In round two, Jedrzejczyk put away Esparza with a flurry of punches to become strawweight champ.

Dos Anjos has secured a title shot thanks to an impressive 8-2 run, which includes key victories over renowned lightweights like Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson, and Nate Diaz. But, while speaking to UFC.com recently, dos Anjos (23-7) had this to say about Pettis and why he’s unique:

“He’s the kind of fighter that takes risks,” dos Anjos said. “If he wants to throw a spinning back kick, he’s going to throw it. He doesn’t think too much. He does things that for some fighters are almost impossible. That’s why he’s dangerous.

“I’ve never fought nobody that does the things he does. He’s very impressive.”

Pettis (18-2) is riding a five fight win streak heading into the bout, and is coming off a successful, title defense victory over Gilbert Melendez in December. The highlight reel striker submitted Henderson in August, 2013 to become lightweight champ.

UFC 185 will be hosted by the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

After dominating Nate Diaz for 15 minutes this past weekend at UFC on FOX 13, Rafael dos Anjos has improved his position in the lightweight division.

As a result of his unanimous decision win over Diaz, dos Anjos has moved up two spots, and has joined Khabib Nurmagomedov in the #1 ranking. Gilbert Melendez, who was tapped out by champion Anthony Pettis earlier this month at UFC 181, has slipped to #3.

Featherweight Charles Oliveira has received a big boost from his performance at the TUF 20 Finale, as following his UD victory over Jeremy Stephens, he’s jumped four places and is ranked #10. Stephens has slipped one position and is now #11.

The UFC has also released the strawweight rankings, now that TUF 20 Finale is over, and Carla Esparza has secured the promotion’s inaugural championship. The top five rankings include Joanna Jedrzejcyk at #1, Claudia Gadelha #2, Jessica Penne #3, Rose Namajunas #4, and Tecia Torres at #5.

Flyweight John Moraga moved up one position, into the #4 ranking, following his submission win over Willie Gates on Friday.

Heavyweight Matt Mitrione has been voted up two spots into the #12 ranking, after stopping Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC on FOX 13.

After missing weight by several pounds on Friday, Nate Diaz was badly outscored by Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 13, and the lightweight relayed after the loss that he incurred an injury leading up the… Read More

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Nate Diaz

By FCF Staff

After missing weight by several pounds on Friday, Nate Diaz was badly outscored by Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 13, and the lightweight relayed after the loss that he incurred an injury leading up the bout.

Diaz made headlines all week by at first, criticizing the UFC’s uniform deal and then the signing of CM Punk. The fighter proceeded to miss an open media workout, before coming in way over weight on Friday.

While speaking to FOX Sports after his unanimous decision loss to dos Anjos, Diaz said that he was not in the “best shape” due to injury, but added that he had to fight and get paid. The Stockton fighter also stated that he hopes to stay busy in the coming month.

Dana White was asked to comment on Diaz and the defeat by FOX Sports Live, and the UFC President relayed (quote via FOX Sports press release):

“There’s a laundry list of issues with Diaz. But I’ll say this, he’s tough to knock out. Dos Anjos should have been arrested for attempted murder there. Diaz needs to get his head together or retire. But we’re in business with him right now still.”

The bout marked the first time Diaz had fought since last November, when he stopped Gray Maynard. The 29 year-old is 2-3 in his last 5 fights.

Junior dos Santos returned to the win column tonight at UFC on FOX 13, but the former heavyweight was bloodied, battered, and some will say outscored by Stipe Miocic while doing so.

Early on, Miocic appeared to be getting the better of the stand-up exchanges, and kept dos Santos in check by throwing in the odd takedown attempt. In round three, dos Santos regained momentum, however, by momentarily dropping the contender with a left hook.

Rounds four and five were also very competitive, but Miocic poured it on late in the bout and had dos Santos on the defensive. All three judges ultimately scored the thrilling bout in “Cigano’s” favor, however, and handed him the unanimous decision win.

In the co-headliner, Rafael dos Anjos cruised to a UD win over Nate Diaz, as the lightweight brutalized the latter’s legs with kicks and punished him from above when the fight was on the mat.

UFC on FOX 13 also saw Alistair Overeem get back on track, as the decorated heavyweight put away Stefan Struve with ground-and-pound strikes in round one.

Former WEC lightweight champ Jamie Varner also announced his retirement at the event, following an opening round, submission loss to Drew Dober.

Here are the results from UFC on FOX 13, which was hosted by the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.